bolt accuracy problem

diamondback · Post by **diamondback** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 2:04 pm

First ,like to say I am new here and this is my first post.After last season ,I bought a new exocet and I love it.Opening day ,got my first doe with it.The problem I have is that my bolts dont hit the same point.Yeah ,I can hit the same hole every time at 20 yards and in the 3 inch bullseye at 50 if I use the same bolt every time..so that makes me think nothings wrong with the bow.But when I tried all 6 of the bolts that came in the right stuff package,I had 2 that hit the same,2 that hit about 8 inches off at 50,but together ,and the other 2 inbetween.I am also using the wasps that came with it too.After the shot I can see the bolts look they are fishtailing.Any suggestions?And what kind of groups shoud I be getting at 50 yards with this bow?Thanks.

sumner4991 · Post by **sumner4991** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 2:23 pm

Try this thread first . . . if your answer isn't there, then try a search using "accuracy" and "groups" as search words. What you are describing happened to me when I was shooting broadheads. I had no issues with the field points. With a good rest, you should be getting 1.5" groups at 50 yards, maybe even better.

http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2 ... ght=groups

Hi5 · Post by **Hi5** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 5:10 pm

I have purchased about 4 different batches of bolts. I have number coded each bolt. Each bolt was fired at a target. Then I marked on a fresh, separate, target where each bolt struck. I was interested in the groups of bolts that struck within a two inch radius. I'm only interested in how they group, not color, length of fletching, or whether or not they are fibre or aluminum.

That way I have a permanent record of where each bolt will strike, and I can figure out which ones to use to make up a batch of similarly performing bolts.

Why bother trying to tinker with bolts so that every one will strike to the same group? When you hunt, surely you won't ever get a chance to fire off more than one or possibly two bolts? I only fiddle with a bolt if it looks as though it's not going to join any group already being formed by other bolts and I otherwise might be tempted to throw it away.

I have ONE favorite bolt that has made multiple kills. I carry a couple of back-ups that group well with it, and that's how I hunt.

So, if hunting season has overtaken you before you can do a lot of shooting and tinkering with bolts, don't sweat it. Sort out your bolts on the basis of where they group. Pick out the best that will give you a minimum number for the hunt you will be making. Sight in your bow for that batch. Go hunting, and good luck.

taureau noir · Post by **taureau noir** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 6:26 pm

I mark them too.
(I) for deadcenter
(II) for 1.5"circle.
other I use for practice.

diamondback · Post by **diamondback** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 7:38 pm

thanks ,The old post gave me several things to try.I went ahead and trimmed the plastic piece that the vanes could have been hitting.I am using the number method also now .Just wanted to do all I could as far as accuracy.I think I will start on customizing it some after this season and try to quiet it down some and have lots of great ideas from this site already.

Stosh · Post by **Stosh** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 9:22 pm

Had the same trouble, my goldtips vanes were not put on very well. just by eye i could see they were not 120 degrees apart. I got an az ezfletch and redid them with 4 inch vanes 4 degree offset, needed brass inserts too. can hit a quarter at 20 yards everytime off the bench. The wasps did not fly good either, got slicks. and wow

Good luck, Stosh

NORTH HUNTER · Post by **NORTH HUNTER** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:03 pm

Years ago (1998) , after eliminating all of the obvious things (point alignment, cocking string evenly, lined up feathers/broadheads,
identical arrows & broadheads & o-rings, ect.). I still had groups at 40 yards from sand bags that would vary between 8 to 22 inches using 3 different arrows and 3 practice broadheads.
Solution!!!!
I numbered the feathers 1 to 3 on each arrow. I then shot each arrow
at the target with a different feather down in the rail. To my surprise
with some arrows, there was a large group produced by doing this.
Now when I purchase new arrows, I test them with each feather down in the rail against my other arrows (practice broadheads attached) and mark the feather that shoots at the same point of impact as the old arrows. I then (always) put the marked feather down in the rail. Now, I simply screw new (identical) fixed blade broadheads onto the arrow, line up the blades/feathers, ensure no point wobble, and put the marked feather down in the rail. This procedure shrank the groups into the 3 to 5 inch range. (3 different arrows and broadheads). I use 2117 Eastons and 100gr. fixed broadheads.
Usually I can get 10 out of 12 new arrows to shoot at the same point
of impact as my old ones using this procedure. The ones that don't I
keep for field point use. All shooting is at 40 yards from sand bags on calm days.

Cossack · Post by **Cossack** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:54 am

Sounds like a FOC issue. Had much the same issues with the stock bolts with 5" vanes. I made up some GT Lazer II's with 110gr brass inserts, 2" Blazers and 100 gr Slick Trik mags. and my accuracy problems vanished.
The stock bolts are very light (around 350 grs) with a 45 gr alum. insert so the large, relatively heavy vanes give them poor FOC. Try a substantially heavier field point to see if flight improves. If so, it isn't a bow issue. You can then work on the bolts as I did above.